IND-W vs NZ-W: Harleen Deol & Harmanpreet Kaur Lead India Women to Comfortable Win in ICC Women's World Cup 2025 Warm-Up
In a crucial ICC Women's World Cup 2025 warm-up match played at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on September 27, 2025, India Women secured a commanding victory against New Zealand Women. The standout performers, Harleen Deol and captain Harmanpreet Kaur, led the batting charge, guiding India to a four-wicket win under the DLS method. This win boosts India's confidence ahead of their group stage opener against Sri Lanka and signals India’s strong preparation for the World Cup.
New Zealand Women’s Innings Highlights:
New Zealand’s captain Sophie Devine won the toss and elected to bat first, aiming to put runs on the board. Despite early pressure from India’s pace spearhead, Renuka Singh Thakur, the New Zealand batting found brief resistance. The opening partnership was disrupted with two early wickets falling by the 8th over, but a steady stand between Devine and Melie Kerr helped stabilize the innings.
After a rain interruption reduced the match to 42 overs, New Zealand managed to post a total of 232/8. However, the Indian bowling attack kept them under control with timely breakthroughs throughout the innings, preventing a much bigger score.
India Women’s Chase Powered by Harleen and Harmanpreet:
Chasing 237 runs in 42 overs (DLS target), India’s openers started well, but early wickets made the chase tense. It was the vital partnership between Harleen Deol (74 runs) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (69 runs) that tilted the game in India’s favor. The duo shared a pivotal 132-run stand for the third wicket, blending aggression with composure.
This partnership absorbed New Zealand’s spin attack and rebuilt India’s innings after initial hiccups. Despite late wickets falling in quick succession, India’s middle order held firm to cross the finish line with 10 balls to spare.
Key Performers and Match Impact:
Harleen Deol: Exhibited maturity and power, anchoring the innings and expertly negotiating the New Zealand bowling attack.
Harmanpreet Kaur: Led from the front both as captain and batswoman, steadying the chase and ensuring India didn’t lose momentum.
Renuka Singh Thakur: Led the Indian bowling unit, taking early wickets and providing stability to the bowling attack.
Indian Spin Bowlers: Maintained crucial control in the middle overs, enabling India to keep the pressure on New Zealand batters.
What This Win Means for India Women:
This impressive warm-up victory boosts the morale of India Women, especially following a tough loss to England in their opening practice match. The strong performances of Harleen Deol and Harmanpreet Kaur underline India’s batting depth and resilience—key attributes for a successful World Cup campaign.
The Indian team heads into their World Cup opener against Sri Lanka with renewed confidence, having tested their combinations in match situations. The bowling attack showed improvement in discipline, while the batting lineup exhibited the temperament needed to chase competitive totals under pressure.
Conclusion:
The IND-W vs NZ-W warm-up match at Bengaluru was a vital tune-up for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. Guided by Harleen Deol’s innings and Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy, India Women demonstrated adaptability, skill, and determination to secure a four-wicket victory in a rain-affected game.
This win signals India’s readiness to challenge for the title on home soil and gives fans hope of an exciting campaign ahead. With match confidence high, India Women look set to make a strong statement as the tournament progresses.